CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed a major breakthrough in the six-year battle for compensation for hundreds of sick miners in Wales denied payments for poor health because they worked in private mines.

CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed a major breakthrough in the six-year battle for compensation for hundreds of sick miners in Wales denied payments for poor health because they worked in private mines.

Currently only ex-pitmen who were employed by the National Coal Board are entitled to payments for bronchitis, emphysema and vibration white finger, under the Government's multi-million-pound compensation scheme.

But Energy Minister Brian Wilson has confirmed that the Department of Trade and Industry is close to reaching an agreement with representatives from private mines and the claimants' solicitors about a compensation package.

The breakthrough means up to 800 former miners in South Wales could soon be entitled to the same levels of compensation for illness as thousands of ex-pitmen who once worked for the NCB.

The Government's compensation scheme, launched following a High Court judgment, has so far seen &#xA3;228m paid out to sick Welsh miners suffering respiratory disease and VWF, a numbness of the fingers caused by use of heavy machinery.

But negotiations on comp- ensation for men in private pits has been dogged by delays and legal wrangles because many of the old companies have closed or been taken over.

In a written answer, Mr Wilson confirmed the Government was close to securing a deal with private mine owners and mining-related representatives.

Ogmore MP Huw Irranca Davies, who has been campaigning for compensation for all sick former miners, said, "I welcome the fact that, at long last, there is light at the end of the tunnel on this issue.

"I very much hope this agreement will be finalised as soon as possible so that miners who worked in private mines will get the compensation to which they are fully entitled.

"I will continue to lobby within Parliament to make sure we get justice for all miners."

The private miners' comp- ensation scheme is estimated to be worth a total of &#xA3;10m and will be paid by the former employers.